Feather detail and more

  

Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) feeding while perched on a tree branch in Cotati on 18 March 2025.  [You can click on the image for a larger version.]

In addition to feeding on prey, this bird happened to be quite vocal as we were walking by.  The calls were not the more-often-heard cak-cak-cak variety, but instead what are sometimes described as whaaa calls, more often attributed to females.

If you're interested, I recorded a very short audio clip for the record -- see below.  [If you can't see the video player in the e-mail, click on the title of the post above to find it on the NHBH web page.]  The lighting isn't the best, but at the time I was more focused on trying to record the sound.  You might need to turn up your volume a little bit.

Spring is on the way!

Final hurrah!

  

Okay, one more hummingbird post!  Eric was in Davis all week, so when he arrived in Cotati tonight we went by to check on the Anna's Hummingbird family.  No juveniles in the nest, but we found one in a tree not too far away.

Eventually we heard the mother hummingbird calling in the area, and then to my surprise, the juvenile starting calling, too.  I hadn't heard a juvenile hummingbird call before, so it was a fun moment for me (and check out the video below!).

 

 

The juvenile's begging call is a very high-pitched seet note.  It is described as a begging call, but it also seemed like a contact call — alerting its mom to its location.  Then the mom flew in for a feeding:

 

 

When the juvenile started calling, I decided to try to record a video with my camera to capture the sound.  Although I was mostly trying to record audio and wasn't really trying to get a video, the juvenile is in the video and called a few times, so here you go!  

The call note is somewhat faint and very high pitched, so it might be hard to hear.  If needed, you can try using headphones, and turning up the volume of your speakers.  Watch for the juvenile opening its bill and listen for the call notes at ~2 seconds, 7 seconds, and 20 seconds.  (There are some background sounds — dogs barking, kids playing, a bat hitting a ball, etc.)

[If you are reading this in an e-mail and can't see the video player below, click on the title of the post to go to the NHBH website.]

I'm doubtful that we'll see the juveniles again, but this was a fun final hurrah!

Tropical sound

  

The lighting was tough, but here's a quick shot of a Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) photographed near the Bodega Marine Laboratory today (13 October 2023).

This kingbird was calling, so I recorded a short audio clip, too.  (If you are reading this in an e-mail and can't see the audio player below, click here to go directly to the NHBH website to listen to the audio clip.]

nhbh · Tropical Kingbird 2023.10.13

Fun!

Rolling by

Early this morning we were woken up several times by loud rolling thunder.  When I got up to try to record it, I also noticed flashes of lightning off to the southeast.

First, here's a very quick video clip of the lightning: 

 

And if you'd like to hear the associated thunder, here's a short audio clip.  (The thunder might be easier to hear with headphones.)

nhbh · thunder 2023.01.08

[Note: If you're reading this by e-mail and can't see the video or audio players, click on the title of the post to go directly to the NHBH website to access the clips.]

Morning light show

I'm guessing that many of you woke up this morning (16 August 2020) to the intense thunder and lightning storm across the Bay Area.  It was one of the most amazing lightning storms I've ever experienced.  It was so incredible that it was hard to do anything other than watch and listen, but Eric and I managed a couple of rough recordings.  

Eric captured these video clips with a point-and-shoot camera just outside our front door in Cotati.  The video is ~30 seconds long, so be sure to watch through the dark sections (there are lightning flashes at 1 second, 10 seconds, 18 seconds, and 28 seconds).  [If you can't see the video player in your e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go to the NHBH website.]

 

I recorded some audio examples of the thunder.  The lightning was really the show-stopper during this storm, and I realized later that I sometimes exclaimed during some of the recording.  Oh, well!  Perhaps it reveals the intensity of the storm.  

Three audio examples below.  Listen with headphones if you can.  You might need to turn up the volume of your speakers.  [If you can't see the audio files below, click on the title of this post to go to the NHBH website.]

Audio example 1 (includes two episodes of thunder):

nhbh · thunder1 sones 16aug2020

Audio example 2:

nhbh · thunder2 sones 16aug2020

Audio example 3:

nhbh · thunder3 sones 16aug2020

Watching and listening

I heard through the grapevine that Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) had been seen in Bodega on Sunday, so I stopped by to look around today (1 January 2019).  

I got lucky and found a few fairly quickly.  Although they were feeding among dense branches, here are a few photos for the record.  I was also able to record their call notes, so check out the audio files below. 

Occasionally the grosbeaks would fly down to Salmon Creek for water:

 

 This one was tugging on strands of lichen:

 

Close-up of the large bill:

 

And of a male eating a seed (Box Elder?):

 

It was a fairly quiet day, so I managed a couple of quick audio recordings.  The first file documents the typical call notes, while the second file is an interesting variant.  [If you can't see the audio files in your e-mail message, click on the title of this post above to go to the NHBH website.]

The typical call note is sometimes written as peeer or cheer.  [Note that there's also a frog calling (ribbit) in this recording.]

 

Now here's the second call type.  This two-syllable call note was from birds perched and foraging in a tree.  It sounds a bit like chew-ee:

We don't get to see Evening Grosbeaks often in Sonoma County, so watching and listening to these birds was a nice way to start the new year.   I'm looking forward to more natural history adventures in 2020!

P.S.  Tom Hahn has confirmed these as Type 1 Evening Grosbeaks.  These birds are usually in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, but occasionally move south.  Click here for more info about the different Evening Grosbeak call types.

Surrounded by spouts

Here are a few more photos from the pelagic trip to Cordell Bank last Sunday (15 October 2017).  If I remember right, we encountered this group of whales ~20 miles off Bodega Head.

Three examples of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), followed by some audio recordings:

 

 

 

If you can't see the audio files below, click on the title of the post above to go directly to the web page.  Also, you might need to turn up the volume of your speakers to hear the sounds of the whales.  [The third file makes me laugh...it includes a brief commentary by Rick Powers, captain of the New Sea Angler.]

June thunderstorm

Late in the day, I looked up to see dark clouds on the eastern horizon:

 

Not too long after, a very loud clap of thunder rolled across the sky.  The thunder lasted for about 25-30 minutes, so I recorded a few examples.  The recordings are best heard with headphones, if you have them.  Otherwise, you might need to turn up the volume of your speakers.  [If you can't see the audio files below, click on the title of the post above to go to the website.]

It started to rain...and then the storm decided to add some pea-sized hail:

 

The thunderstorm moved off to the south, and the sky started to clear, but this wonderful storm ended with a grand finale:

 

 

Photos and recordings are from Cotati on 11 June 2017.

 

Phalaropes calling

On 1 November 2016, I posted some pictures of some Red Phalaropes involved in some aggressive behaviors.  I mentioned that I hoped to share some examples of the vocalizations that accompanied these interactions.  Well, I finally found a few minutes to edit a few of the audio files.

Here are two pictures of phalaropes from one of the days I recorded them.  Following these images, I'll share some examples of the audio files.  You might need to turn up the volume of your speakers.  [If you can't see the audio files in the e-mail, just click on the title of this post to go directly to the web page.] 

 

 

First, here's an example of the typical flight call — a short, high-pitched "pit" or "pit-pit-pit":

Next, an example of their "contact calls" or twittering.  [This one was recorded in the rain.]




And here are two examples of the more aggressive calls.  Listen for a series of emphatic notes, especially in the first recording (4novC) between ~5-8 seconds:


 

Taking a breath

I haven't shared a sound file in a while...but I ended up with a few recordings of whale spouts when we were on the boat trip on 9 October 2016.  So here you go!  [You might need to turn up the volume of your speakers.]





Sadly, I didn't keep track of which species of whales these are, but they're either Blue Whales or Humpback Whales.

Singing redstart

A few people have expressed interest in seeing and hearing this American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) that appeared on Bodega Head today (7 June 2016).

This isn't a great photo, but it's the best I have under challenging conditions.  You can see the orange patches along the sides and dark gray-black splotches on the face and breast indicating a young male.

 

I managed a couple of song recordings for the record.  Below are two examples.  [If you can't see the audio files in your e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go to the web page.]

Calling from Petaluma

I recorded some fun bird calls and songs in Petaluma this weekend.

Do you want to try to guess which species of birds they are?

I'll reveal the answers at the end of this post.

[If you're reading this in an e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go directly to the website to see the audio files.]

Be sure to turn up the volume of your speakers. (Listening with headphones is even better.)
 

Here's Sound 1.  There are some background sounds, but listen for the hollow, knocking notes.  You'll hear three different series of these notes —  at about 3 seconds, 10 seconds, and 16 seconds.

Here's Sound 2.  In this case you'll also hear three different series of notes, but this time the notes are loud whistles and gurgles.





Here's Sound 3.  There's some background sound, but focus on the clear, whistled note.  You'll hear the note five times — at about 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11 seconds.




Okay, are you ready for the answers?


Sound 1: Common Raven (Corvus corvax).  This is sometimes referred to as a percussion-like call.  Some liken it to a drumming woodpecker.  It's apparently only given by females.

Sound 2: Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).  An impressive vocal array.

Sound 3: Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus).  I don't know much about shrike vocalizations, but I was intrigued by this beautiful call note.  I couldn't find a good written description of it, and only came across one other recording that was somewhat similar.  Have you heard shrikes calling like this?  Is it a sound that just hasn't been described very well?  Or is there geographical variation in shrike call notes?

Now that you've heard the shrike, here are two pictures of the individual that was calling:

 

 

Mystery sound in the backyard

I wasn't going to post tonight, but then something happened and I couldn't help myself.

I'll post a sound clip first to see if you can identify the sound.  I realize this is basically impossible, but I thought you might like to consider the possibilities.  It might take an entire posse of listeners to figure this out!

[If you're reading this in an e-mail, click on the title of the post to access the sound file.]

Below is a place holder picture, while you think about the sound above.  Feel free to replay it a few times, if needed.  (Be sure to turn up your speakers, or wear headphones.)  The answer will be revealed after the next photo.

 

Okay, do you have a guess about the sound?  Do you possibly need some hints?  

The sound involves chewing and slurping...by a mammal that I haven't posted about yet.

The mystery sound is:

 

An Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) eating a peach!

We had been hearing a sound in the backyard at night.  Tonight it was very loud, so we went out to look around and spotted this Opossum under a peach tree.  It was just starting to eat a very ripe peach, and seemed very focused on the task.  So I got my recorder and documented the sound of the Opossum eating, and then I came back with a camera and took a couple of quick pictures in the dark.

The Opossum has been enjoying some very nice late-night snacks!

"Largely silent at sea"

As promised, here are a few recordings of Laysan Albatross calls, recorded near Cordell Bank on 9 September 2015.

First, a couple of pictures so you can visualize the albatross.  The birds were sitting on the water when we heard them calling.  

 

It appeared that the calls were "territorial" — that is, they were given when other individuals were close by or in response to another bird calling.  In the picture below, a Black-footed Albatross is approaching from behind.  (The Laysan is calling.)

 

I've included three audio clips below.  The National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America says that albatross are "largely silent at sea."  This day was an exception!

Sometimes two calls are given one-right-after-the-other — that's likely a second bird calling in response to the first.

[If you can't see the audio files in an e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go directly to the website.]

 
 
 

Flow

It was fairly hot this afternoon, so I was looking for some place cool at the end of the day.  I spent a few minutes rock-hopping along Copeland Creek.  It was shady and breezy, with nice views and sounds of running water, and a few damselflies that were rock-hopping, too.

  

Female Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)

 

Flow around rocks and leaves

Here are two short audio clips so you can enjoy the sound of flowing water.  You might need to turn up the volume of your speakers.  [If you can't see the audio files in the e-mail, click on the title of the post above to go directly to the web page.]

 


 

Screech!

I stepped out of my car last night and heard a very loud screech.

I turned towards the sound and saw this:

 

The sound gave away this juvenile Great Horned Owl — the screech is a begging call.

But there are a few other characteristics that help identify it as a juvenile.  Can you see them?  The next image will make it easier.

 

The are still downy feathers on most of the head.  They're the ones that look short and fluffy.  And the "ear tufts" aren't fully developed yet.

Here's an adult (that was sitting nearby) for contrast:

 

There were at least two juveniles in this eucalyptus grove.  I was impressed with their screeching, and with the size of their feet!

If you're interested, here's a very short recording of the screech:

   

Pleased to meet you!

 

Janet noticed this young male Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) in the Bodega Marine Lab parking lot on 9 June 2015.  Luckily, it was still around on 10 June, so I documented it with a few pictures and an audio recording. 

Although I've photographed several Chestnut-sided Warblers in the fall, I think this is the first time I've seen one on Bodega Head in the spring.

 

After the rain last night and this morning (!), the warbler spent quite a bit of time preening and trying to dry off.  It alternated preening bouts and feeding bouts, and was very vocal, singing loudly throughout the morning.  (I first heard it while working inside at my desk!)

 

 

While feeding, it actively looked for insects among the leaves and branches:

 

 

And here's the audio recording.  You might need to turn up your volume.  [If you can't see the audio file below, click on the title of this post above to view the file on the web page.] 

Sometimes this warbler's song is translated as "Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet you!"  Chestnut-sided Warblers have two types of songs: one that sounds like that phrase with an accent on the "you," and another that has an unaccented-ending.  Mostly this bird seemed to be singing the unaccented-ending song, but if you listen closely around 12-13 seconds, you can hear a quiet version of the accented "Pleased to meet you" phrase.

What a treat to hear this handsome warbler on the West Coast! 

 

Hailman!

The forecast called for a chance of thunderstorms, and possible hail.  I was hopeful, but often these predictions fall short.  That was not the case today.

Around mid-day, we were treated to an amazing series of showers and thunderstorms, including lightning.  If you've been following the blog for a while, you know I can't resist recording thunder.  So here you go, two of the better thunder rolls from today.  Remember to turn your volume up.  If you have headphones, the listening experience is even better with them.  (There are a few birds calling, too — you'll hear Oak Titmice and American Crows.)





In the late afternoon we decided to go for a very short walk in Santa Rosa.  As we started down the trail, I was puzzled by what looked like ice among the grass.  When we looked closer, we realized it was hail!

 

We had only seen a tiny bit of hail at our house, but this was impressive.  In some areas, e.g., under shade and in low spots, the hail was so dense it looked like snow.  And then Eric had a brilliant idea:

 

A hailman!  For New Englanders who have been missing snowmen, this was the closest we've come to building one in Sonoma County since moving here 10 years ago.  I just wish the hailman didn't melt so quickly!  (And if we had known there had been so much hail, we certainly would have brought trays to try sledding.  Next time.)

Here are a few more pictures of the hail.  This was around 4-5 p.m.  I wish I had been there several hours earlier to see the new fallen hail.

Next to the trunk of a buckeye tree:

 

Surrounding stones next to a creek:

 

With ferns and moss:

 

The clouds associated with this thunder and hail were impressive.  Two examples after the storms had passed:

 

...thunder!

Okay, here you go...the audio file to match the lightning video. (If you can't see the audio file below, just click on the title of this post to access it on the website.)

Enjoy the thunder! 



P.S.  Since you were so patient, I've added a couple of bonus pictures.

It was still quite stormy this morning (3 December 2014), so I took a quick look at the ocean during a break in the rain.  Lots of seabirds were moving, including hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls (first two images below) and small flocks of murrelets, with most appearing to be Ancient Murrelets (last two images below).

These pictures are a bit blurry because it was very windy at the time (~30 mph with gusts to 35) and the birds were pretty far out.  But I thought you'd still like to know about these "storm birds."

 

 

 

 

So many songs

Remember the Marsh Wren photos from early January?  (If not, this is one of them and you can review others here.)

 

Last week I recorded a Marsh Wren singing just before dark.  Below is an audio file so you can hear its complex song sequence. 

A single Marsh Wren song only lasts 1-2 seconds.  But an individual Marsh Wren has a very large song repertoire and may sing over 100 different song types.  And they often sing one song after another after another.  According to the Birds of North America account, the highest rate of singing is about 20 songs per minute.

If you're not familiar with it, a Marsh Wren song might sound a little unusual at first.  It's made up of short notes and buzzy trills and squeaks and gurgles.  And each time the wren sings it puts all of those components together in a different way.

When you listen to this recording, there are a few different things you can do.  Appreciate the diversity of Marsh Wren songs.  Count the total number of songs in the recording.  Choose your favorite song.  And listen to see if you think any of the songs repeat.  (This is like trying to find two snowflakes that look alike!).  Remember to turn up your volume.  I found it easier to appreciate these songs by closing my eyes when listening to them.


mawr by nhbh


I counted fourteen songs during this minute and a half recording.  I didn't hear any songs that repeated, but it was challenging to know for sure.  Later I read that Marsh Wrens might not repeat a song until after 5-6 minutes have gone by, so it's probably not surprising that there aren't any repeat songs in this short recording.  It's interesting to wonder about why Marsh Wrens sing so many different songs!